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I am thinking of practicing drift on the local track. Do you think a stock 324td produces enough torque for a drift? And how does 325tds compare to 324td in performance & weight, handling, reliability, body corrosion? I have heard that most 2.5tds cylinder heads crack. Which of the models do you think is better?

I'm no expert on diesel motors (or motors in general), but they've usually got some great low end torque which would likely help you get the wheels spinning easily (at 2400+rpm for the 324td you're already at the sweet spot)

drifting is not low end torque, its hp. in drifting its being able to spin the tires at speed, and if you watch drifting comps, those guys are hitting the first turn at 80mph, locking the e brake then throttling out from there. the problem with a diesel is they are a low rev motor. so the revs your working with is a small range, say 500-1000rpms, while a proper drift motor, they work with 2000-4000rpms, yet alone more 500hp. while the 324td may be droppin 120hp, drift cars are normally around 600 at the wheels.

doable, yes. but youll have to be dead nuts on speed gear and the e brake and youll probably spin out more than anything.

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I know a lot about cars. I can look at a car's headlights and tell you exactly which way it's coming

If I decide to buy one, I won't invest lots of money straight away. First I would get rid of rust, change belts, oil etc... I'd practice with stock on snow for some time. Then I would install lsd, get some tires, and increase turbo bar. In the long run I may invest up to 10 grand USD.
I may be wrong and ignorant, but I think BMW 324td performance doesn't fall back much compared to the most popular drift car ever - Toyota AE86. What do you think?

700lbs more with 15 less hp. big difference. another thing wheel to wheel distance, corolla is shorter so easier to get into a drift but harder to control.

one other thing to look at, guys were slapping turbos on the ae86 to boost the hp to around 200hp with 8# boost. but to keep with my first statement, the rpm power range is so far different and thats where the ae86 just beats the m21

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I know a lot about cars. I can look at a car's headlights and tell you exactly which way it's coming

drifting is not low end torque, its hp. in drifting its being able to spin the tires at speed, and if you watch drifting comps, those guys are hitting the first turn at 80mph, locking the e brake then throttling out from there. the problem with a diesel is they are a low rev motor. so the revs your working with is a small range, say 500-1000rpms, while a proper drift motor, they work with 2000-4000rpms, yet alone more 500hp. while the 324td may be droppin 120hp, drift cars are normally around 600 at the wheels.

doable, yes. but youll have to be dead nuts on speed gear and the e brake and youll probably spin out more than anything.

i could drift my eta. but i was in first gear going slow and holding the brake just to keep the one tire spinning. to do proper drift when entering a corner at 60+mph, you need a good amount of hp to keep the tires spinning. there is no way in hell you can tell me someone took a m42 and threw the thing in a corner at 60+mph and was able to drift by using throttle only.

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I know a lot about cars. I can look at a car's headlights and tell you exactly which way it's coming

ive e braked a 86 buick century with a pedal e brake with release (in my younger rally days on a poor budget on farm roads) and its the only way to get my subby to slide too. i will say, the buick was on dirt roads and my subby is on snow pack, so i was cheating

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I know a lot about cars. I can look at a car's headlights and tell you exactly which way it's coming

The Diesels just do not have a wide enough power band & throttle take up
I asked a customer whose Amarok we had suitably modified if I may test this.
Hitting the corner at about 140 kph, e Brake and then you have to have the motor spinning to start drifting without getting grip again.
Then it held the slide until I reached the apex and had to grab the next higher gear where the motor just could not REV up fast enough and the tyres gripped again
Maybe with a Auto box and tiptronic style system
BTW, do not try this at home
The Chinese would say "that I had some interesting moments"